HC Deb 17 February 1916 vol 80 c226
43. Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the President of the Local Government Board if certain clerks to local tribunals are informing applicants for forms to claim exemption under the Military Service Act that they cannot be supplied until they have attested under the Derby scheme; and will he make an official statement that such' is not the case?

Mr. LONG

It is obviously not the case that men cannot claim exemption under the Military Service Act until they have attested under the Derby scheme, since men so attesting are outside the Act. I am not aware that statements of the kind suggested have been made, and the in formation circulated by the Government should remove any misapprehension.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Will the right hon. Gentleman allow me to tell him privately of some of these cases?

Mr. LONG

Yes, I shall be very pleased if my hon. Friend will do so.

65. Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the President of the Local Government Board if, in view of the wide area covered by the local tribunals under the Military Service Act, he will make arrangements for forms to claim exemption being obtainable at post offices; and will he supply copies of the Regulations and Circulars for every member of the local tribunals, seeing that evidence is already forthcoming that many members are apparently unacquainted with that information?

Mr. LONG

Forms can be obtained on application to the local tribunal, which can be made by post. They can also be obtained from recruiting officers, and I do not think it is necessary to keep a supply of forms at post offices. Copies of the Circulars and Regulations and Instructions can be obtained for each member of a local tribunal by application to the Local Government Board or to the Stationery Office through the clerk to the tribunal.